Job Description

Job Title: Gardener - 1 Year Contract




Managed by: Gardens Manager and Assistant Gardens Manager







Department(s): Gardens Location: Waddesdon Manor





Salary: 12.31 per hour Contract Type: 1 Year Fixed Term, Full-time







Hours: A minimum of 37.5 hours per week (exclusive of breaks) Monday to Sunday, on a rotational


shift basis. Weekend working will be required, for which time will be taken in lieu.









The Role:


We are seeking a Gardener to join our passionate Gardens team who manage 338 acres of gardens and


grounds, including the gardens at the Dairy, the Five Arrows Hotel, and at 2 contemporary buildings


(Windmill Hill and the Flint House and Annex). The successful candidate will be an integral part of the


team at Waddesdon Manor | A French Renaissance-style chateau ensuring that this Grade 1 listed


garden remains one of the finest Victoria gardens in Britain.


You will be responsible for upkeeping the 165-acre garden, famous for its ornamental bedding, shrub


planting and specimen trees, and high horticultural standards referred to as the Waddesdon Standard.







What you will do:


As a member of the Gardens Team, you will work towards achieving the strategic objectives and


vision for the Garden Department (unique, flamboyant, inspirational and bold) in all areas of the role.


The Gardener is a horticulturalist with responsibility to support the gardens presentation to agreed


standards.


You will participate in a range of duties across all areas of the Garden. The care and presentation of


the Garden is supervised by the Gardens Manager and Asst. Garden Manager, but all team members


have significant levels of specialist skills, responsibility and collective ownership and will be expected


to perform all aspects of garden maintenance.







Key responsibilities include but not limited to:


Day-to-day Management and Presentation


Supporting the care and maintenance of seasonal bedding where required. Supporting the care and maintenance of formal and informal lawn areas. Supporting the care and maintenance of the woody plant collection including trees, shrubs,
roses and climbing plants.


Supporting the care and maintenance of hedges and topiary. Supporting the care and maintenance of herbaceous plants including some aquatics and
bulbous plants.


The day-to-day care of machinery and equipment. Encourage a culture of collaborative working within the department and with other
departments at Waddesdon, including Estates, Facilities, Visitor Services and Events and


House Curators.


Training and Development


As a Gardener you are encouraged to develop your technical and practical skills and
horticultural knowledge through training and courses as considered necessary and


appropriate by the Gardens Manager and Asst. Garden Manager as identified as part of your


Recognition Conversation


Health and Safety


All staff are expected to observe Health and Safety at Work Regulations as set out by The National


Trust in accordance with its statutory obligations, and to ensure compliance and safe working


practices within all Health and Safety regulations, statements, guidance notes and COSHH regulations,


to ensure a safe working environment, for staff, volunteers and the visitors.


Environmental Awareness


All staff are expected to observe both the National Trust's and Waddesdon Manor's policy and


practices for the protection and improvement of the environment, and to ensure the security of


equipment and buildings.





Relationships


At all times to maintain good working relations with all members of Waddesdon staff. Working alongside volunteers, assisting them where necessary and making sure that they
know how valued they are within the team.







Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role:





A horticultural qualification or a proven interest or track record in gardening and/or
horticulture. Some level of practical experience in horticulture.


Good people skills to build relationships with the public, colleagues and volunteers. A flexible, committed approach with willingness to work as the workload demands and across
all the areas managed by the Gardens Department.


Good team player Holding appropriate professional licences such as spraying would be an advantage. Full clean drivers' licence required Additional requirements:


The safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults are of the utmost


importance for any role at the Rothschild Foundation, Waddesdon Manor. Consequently, this position


will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to uphold the safety and security


of all our guests, staff and volunteers.





Rewards for working with us:


We are proud of where we work and want to share Waddesdon Manor with family and friends
by offering a number of complimentary tickets to the house and grounds.
Waddesdon Discounts - 50% discount in the food-to-go outlets at the Manor. 20% in the
Manor gift shop and restaurant, Stables Cafe, Five Arrows Hotel, and The Bow Pub. 20%


discount on special event tickets made available to staff.
Staff Card - A National Trust staff card entitles two adults and children under 18 years of age
free admission to all National Trust properties and 20% discount in NT retail and catering


outlets.
Annual Leave - On starting with us, you will receive 25 days annual leave per year plus 8 public
holidays pro-rata. Stay with us for 3 years and this rises to 28 days, 30 days after five years and


32 days after 10 years.
Sick pay - If you become ill, one week of sick pay during your first 3 months. This rises to a
maximum of 3 months full pay within a rolling 12-month period. After four years you also


receive a further 3 months at half pay in the rolling 12-month period.
Pension - We will top up your pension by matching any contribution you make, up to 10% of
your basic salary.
Income Protection - on completing one year of continuous service, income protection may be
available at 50% of basic salary for a maximum of 5 years.
Life Assurance - a lump sum of 4 times basically annual salary is payable upon death in service. Flexible & Hybrid Working - we encourage departments to manage their own way of working
to suit the workload and nature of the work. We recommend a minimum of 3 days a week on-

site.
Long Service Awards - every 5 years of service, you are invited to a celebration to recognise
your contribution to the organisation. A cash sum is awarded as a thank you.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support - access to a wellbeing platform and fully funded 1:1
counselling service.
Enhanced Maternity Pay - after 12 months of continuous service, you can choose 13 weeks of
maternity leave at full pay followed by 26 weeks statutory pay.
Enhanced Paternity Pay - after 12 months of continuous service, you may take 3 months of
paternity leave at full pay.
Eye Care - eye care vouchers for employees who are DSE users. Flu Jabs - free flu jabs in October. Travel - Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan for train or bus, Octopus Electric Vehicle
Scheme.
Deposit Loan Scheme - financial support to go towards a private rental deposit. Access to Perk at Work - access to exclusive discounts from hundreds of retailers, and up to
55% off cinema tickets.
Memberships - 20% discount on new Nuffield gym memberships. 15% off Hartwell Spa
Memberships and treatments, and 15% off food in the restaurant.







Workplace adjustments:


We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such


as flexible working, compressed hours, providing equipment or changes to the workplace, where


possible.




EDI


At the Rothschild Foundation, we place Equality, Inclusion and Diversity at the core of our values. We


strive to be an organisation that actively addresses inequality and prejudice while fostering a truly anti-

racist culture. Our approach is centered on meaningful and equitable support and development for you


and others throughout your time with us. We are committed to providing an environment free from


discrimination, where every team member feels valued, respected and has a true sense of belonging.


Application:


The vacancy advert may be taken down from job boards earlier than the stated deadline if a high


standard of applications is received.




We welcome applications from everyone and particularly encourage applications from people from


an ethnic minority background, and people with a disability to help us achieve a balanced


representation in our workforce, especially at senior grades.




To reduce bias in our shortlisting process, we operate an anonymized application process.




All candidates invited to interview have the opportunity to request adjustments to the recruitment


process when scheduling your interview, for example accessible parking, communication support or


breaks. To support all candidates to perform their best at interview, we send questions 24 hours in


advance of the round 1, in-person interview.




To apply, please send a current CV and covering letter explaining how your experience and skills match


those outlined above to application@waddesdon.org.uk







Closing date: midnight, Friday 14 June 2025




If you apply for this role and are selected to interview, here is what you can expect:


* 45 minute in-person interview at Waddesdon Manor